Sithebe’s family welcomes killer couple’s life sentence

The family of slain Soshanguve father, Sibusiso Sithebe, says his soul can rest in peace now that his killers are behind bars. 

Sithebe’s ex-partner, Lerato, and her husband, Sibusiso Mahlangu, were sentenced to life behind bars for his murder on Friday. 

The pair was convicted in November for luring Sithebe to his death in January 2022. 

Together, the couple plotted to murder the young taxi driver, getting him intoxicated, dousing him in petrol and burning him alive at their Soshanguve home. 

Lerato would go on to falsely identify Sithebe’s body as her husband’s, helping Sibusiso fake his own death and cashing in on more than R500 000 in life insurance claims, which they shared.

The scam ran it’s course when Mahlangu, who had been living in Hamaanskraal under the fake name of Hope Zungu, was caught out by authorities after it was discovered he was registered as deceased. 

Handing down the life sentence, Judge Mokhine Mosopa emphasised that he wanted the accused to learn to respect human life and dignity.

He highlighted the alarming trend of insurance killings in the country, urging the accused to use their time behind bars to reflect on how they can assist the victims of their crimes. 

Speaking at the back of sentencing, the deceased’s brother, Xolani Sithebe, said while court proceedings took their emotional toll, he’s pleased with the outcome. 

“This thing has been a very traumatic experience. But it’s worth it now that they were sentenced to life imprisonment,” he said. 

“My brother fought for himself. I believe he was totally with us throughout this whole case in spirit,” he added.